Loddon Herald 29 February 2024

FAINT BLUE RULE

COMMUNITY concern is rising that northern Loddon communities are without a permanent police presence.

Residents say police resources are stretched while one-member stations at Pyramid Hill, Serpentine and Boort are covered from other local towns.

The Pyramid Hill station, empty since the former officer retired last year, now has police from Inglewood on secondment.

By CHRIS EARL

The vacancy is still to be advertised. It was not in last week’s Police Gazette and may not appear until later in the year.

The Police Association claims “recent resource shortages and heightened levels of work-related injuries within policing have left some gaps”. Veteran Boort policeman Ray Stoman remains on sick leave and police from other Loddon stations continue to provide a lo-

cal presence. Serpentine has remained empty since the officer was injured last year with people living near the police station and residence taking turns mowing front yards until last month.

One of Serpentine resident Steve Brown, said on Friday: “There’s no police permanently in the northern half of the Loddon Shire.

“We want police back in our towns. Around here, the whole town is not happy that there is not a station in use between Eaglehawk and Kerang.”

Mr Brown’s concerns were echoed by Dot and Ken Hulands.

Mrs Hulands said she had witnessed two cars racing side-byside on the Loddon Valley Highway through town this month.

And Mr Brown said: “We had a car go through on the Loddon Valley Highway the other Saturday night ... easily doing 200kmh.

“At the end of the day, we need a copper in town.”

Pyramid Hill resident Kel Stewart said there was apprehension in town about the lack of a permanent police presence. “We may

be a small town but we need our local police,” she said.

Her concerns came in a week when bollards in Railway Avenue were damaged and thieves stole an external water pump connected to sporting change rooms at Mitchell Park.

Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh said he was appalled communities from Bendigo to Kerang were being left without any permanent police presence around the busy Loddon Valley Highway.

CONTINUED PAGE 2

Dot and Ken Hulands and Steve Brown stand outside the empty Serpentine police station .... they want “coppers back in town”. LH PHOTO

Loddon HERALD

Free every Thursday

Phone

Email

SMOKEY FRIDAY

There’s a big hill somewhere not far away

Kangaroo Flat, 3555, and printed for the publishers by Newsprinters Pty Ltd McKoy Street, West Wodonga, VIC 3690.

WEEKEND FORECAST

Faint blue line across northern areas of shire

FROM PAGE 1

Mr Walsh said a permanent police officer in small country towns “is a great deterrent to the criminal element” and should never be underestimated.

“Any government that can come up with a staffing strategy which deliberately leaves so many communities exposed should be ashamed of itself,” he added.

“This is another example of citycentric government which doesn’t understand regional Victoria, and clearly doesn’t give a damn.

“Of course there will be injuries and illness but the Allan Labor government is failing to deliver on its promise to provide

the police we need, just as it has failed in so many areas.”

Kel Stewart said: “If we had a permanent police officer here, that would be reassuring.”

The Police Association spokesperson said the association “has long held that single officer stations are an important fabric in the overall policing of regional Victoria and as such, has fought for their continued existence”.

“Greater emphasis must be placed on ensuring our workplaces and their practices are modernised to minimise injury and the subsequent impact on police resourcing.”

Victoria Police was contacted for comment but had not responded when the Loddon Herald went to press.

Kel Stewart ... permanent presence would be reassuring

IN BRIEF

Flood repair woes

PREMIER Jacinta Allan has been told of frustrations and challenges with flood recovery restoration work approvals for Loddon Shire. Mayor Gavan Holt and CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald put concerns to Ms Allan in a meeting last week. Operations director Steven Phillips also told councillors at their meeting on Tuesday there were alarm bells that only 10 per cent of works were complete with approval processes a problem. He said the current rate of approval meant it was unlikely works would be completed this financial year. Cr Dan Straub said $4.6 million in works had been done but reimbursement from the Government only totalled $2 million. Concerns about approval processes in Loddon Shire were raised with Ms Allan at a media conference after the summer storm floods.

Compliance officer

LODDON Shire Council has appointed the first of two compliance officers to crack down on unsightly properties. Councillors were told on Tuesday there were 54 properties not complying with local laws.

NAPLAN testing

STUDENTS in Years 3 and 5 will have their first NAPLAN writing test next month. At Tarnagulla, students in Years 2 and 4 will be set an unofficial NAPLAN-like test.

A GREY shroud enveloped Loddon communities on Friday as winds blew thick smoke north from the out-of-control fires around Beaufort. By midday landmarks were barely visible with Pyramid Hill disappearing into the horizon from just 2km away.

Lauren named state’s top sports volunteer

LAUREN Driscoll was yesterday named the 2023 Good Sports Victorian volunteer of the year during a ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra.

The Pyramid Hill Football Netball Club volunteer was hailed as a long-term Good Sports champion, committed to making everyone feel welcome at the club and with a vested interest in ensuring the club continues to be safe and inclusive for families.

The national Good Sports Awards celebrate Australia’s best community sporting clubs and volunteers for their commitment to building healthy and inclusive club environments.

Volunteers were recognised for their work with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Good Sports program in tackling alcohol, illicit drugs, smoking, mental health and safe transport.

The foundation’s Victoria manager, Mona Malouf said that Lauren should be incredibly proud of her achievements.

“The Good Sports Awards are the ultimate trophy for any Good Sports club. Every year we get to celebrate incredible work being done by dedicated volunteers in community sport and this year is no different,” Ms Malouf said.

“These award recipients are shining examples of the Good

Sports program which is helping build a healthier sporting nation by supporting clubs to be the very best they can be.”

Club secretary Jan Hickmott said: “Lauren takes on many roles within the club including social media manager, grant writer, netball umpire, and player, and

we are incredibly lucky to have such a passionate, loyal and capable person.”

Pyramid Hill Football Netball Club was awarded the Good Sports National Safe Transport Award in both 2019 and 2021 and working with a small, dedicated group, Lauren has ensured

the club remains committed to promoting road safety on rural roads.

“Lauren is also a committed advocate for the responsible service of alcohol, mental wellbeing, safety, and inclusion. A teacher and natural leader, Lauren is enthusiastic, passionate, and committed in everything she does,” Jan said.

Working with almost 12,000 community sports clubs, including more than 3300 in Victoria, Good Sports is Australia’s largest community health sports program.

In Victoria, it’s managed by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation and funded by the Australian Government.

The recent Celebrating 25 Years report highlighted the powerful impacts of the Good Sports program, including the reduction of risky drinking at participating clubs by 37 per cent, with a 42 per cent reduction in alcohol-related harms.

“Whilst local sport clubs can be places where alcohol and other drug-related harms occur, the Good Sports program demonstrates that they can also be the opposite - and strongly influence positive, healthy behaviours,” Ms Malouf said.

New director

MICHELLE Stedman has started in the role of corporate director at Loddon Shire Council. She fills the position vacated when Amanda Wilson last year took up a similar role with Gannawarra Shire. Ms Stedman was previously director corporate and organisational performance with Buloke Shire.

Enterprising time

MEMBERS of the Enterprise

Caravan Club will make their annual visit to Bridgewater this weekend. Members will raise funds for local organisations on their annual visit.

Audit chair

ROD POXON has been appointed new chair of Loddon Shire’s audit and risk committee. Mr Poxon, of Boort, has been a member of the committee since 2015.

Weekly traps

WEEKLY mosquito trapping at Boort, Pyramid Hill, Wedderburn and Serpentine by Loddon Shire did not detect any viruses last quarter.

The Driscoll family: Brad, Ella, top award winner Lauren and Liam pictured in their Pyramid Hill colours.

THE I GET IT , I THINK BIT

Lose yourself at one of Victoria’s renowned galleries or artist workshops. You’ll find plenty to your taste – or not. And that’s the fun of it.

Get curious at cultural institutions like Bendigo Art Gallery.

VISITVICTORIA.COM

Unlocking shire growth

COST of new service infrastructure can make residential property development in the Loddon Shire unviable.

That’s a key finding of a report commissioned by Loddon Shire from major regional property developer Villawood.

However, the report that has been discussed in private forums by councillors since late last year says Inglewood and Bridgewater are possible growth hotspots.

Villawood says land development option investigations “demonstrate that when significant infrastructure such as new roads, drainage basins and lengthy service extensions are required, that the cost of these works generally exceeds the market sales price of the land and therefore the financial viability of the project would unlikely be supported by lenders.

“Bridgewater and Inglewood are the exceptions being closer to Bendigo, where market land values are higher. Presently, the most attractive opportunities are available for land that only requires a modest infrastructure spend to create the new titles, or for existing vacant titled land.”

Villawood said key stakeholder discussions found consensus that Inglewood and Bridgewater should be the focus towns for development as they were the logical hubs for the Shire due to their natural attributes, proximity to Bendigo, and both towns,

in particular Inglewood had the ‘structural bones’ for a commercial business strip.

The report said worker accommodation was also an issue in the shire.

“A number of larger employers indicated a lack of quality housing to both purchase and rent existed across the shire, particularly in Pyramid Hill, Wedderburn and Boort.

“Without suitable housing, it is difficult to attract prospective workers. New residents require homes when they arrive. They cannot wait several years for their own accommodation. Investors, speculators, and developers are required to deliver housing ahead of demand.

“Workers may wait to purchase, but if they cannot find

properties to rent in the first instance, there is no opportunity to accommodate them.

“A Build to Rent and or Buy model could be considered. There’s evidence within some of the local communities of the need to build it, and they will come.”

Villawood said Loddon Shire has an abundance of undeveloped land. However, without the appropriate strategic planning, zoning, and investment in infrastructure to facilitate development, economic development and population growth were constrained by a lack of serviced land for residential, commercial, and industrial uses.

According to Villawood, there is a significant opportunity to attract residents from Bendigo to Loddon communities.

“There are already some 456 commuters who travel from Bendigo Local Government Area to Loddon LGA, who may be convinced that with a high standard of affordable future development in the Loddon region to ‘cash out’ of the growing Bendigo property prices that have increased approximately 70 per cent in the past five years.”

To unlock residential development, Villawood said Coliban’s water and sewerage pipes would need to be upgraded.

And it says current available vacant zoned land may not be fully or satisfactorily serviced. Service authority plans must align with growth opportunities and may rely more heavily on developer funding.

Other findings in the report include a review of current construction standards to match to existing town and streetscape characteristics, council develop its own sites that have existing constructed road frontage and are either fully or partially serviced, planning for sufficient land supply with service providers to meet the needs of the market and provide certainty to the industry and the community on the prioritisation and timing for the investment in trunk infrastructure to support development and investigation of funding to provide trunk infrastructure to support land development.

Majority of new blocks are sold

CONSTRUCTION of new homes on the Loddon’s first major residential development could start later this year.

Just over 12 months after being released, 10 of the 15 blocks in stage one of Bridgewater Rise have been sold, says McKean McGregor’s Drew Stratton.

Stage two of the development has another 15 blocks with land facing the Calder Highway also owned by Josh Cummins’ family consortium earmarked for another 35-lot subdivision.

Mr Stratton is marketing the Bridgewater estate as an alternative to developments in Bendigo.

Loddon Shire CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald told councillors on Tuesday that the council had started the process of selling land that could be used for housing blocks.

And he said council was investigating options, including government funding for subdivision options of land and what active role council would take in developing housing options.

Equal and fair pressure: works in pipeline

COLIBAN Water plans to upgrade storage and treatment at its Inglewood and Bridgewater plants in the next two years.

Chief officer assets and operations Danny McLean said the government-owned water business was aiming to deliver equal and fair pressure to all towns in its service area.

“The works are already programmed,” Mr McLean said.

Customers in the towns have complained about poor pressure amid concerns for future growth capacity.

Coliban last month asked residents in the towns to limit water use that managing director Damian Wells says was to linked

water quality after the summer storms and the statewide power blackout that hit every Coliban treatment plant.

“We were tested right across the region,” Mr Wells said.

Mr Wells said upgrades at Inglewood and Bridgewater were part of Coliban’s $435 million capital investment in its current five-year plan.

But he said future upgrades to service infrastructure would be driven by demand and customers.

Mr Wells said it was important for property developers to understand costs and the role Coliban played in planning processes.

“We respond to that planning process procedure ... it (infrastructure upgrades) is a cost for the developers. Existing customers should not be cross-subsidising developers,” he said.

Mr Wells said there was no reason there would not be residential growth in Inglewood and Bridgewater in the next couple of decades.

“It’s prudent for us to have that in mind with changes in settlement patterns across the region,” he said.

“(But) our role as a state-owned water utility is that we exist to serve customers. It is not for us to impose our views on the community.”

Upgrades in the pipeline at Inglewood and Bridgewater. LH PHOTO

Bridgewater and Inglewood can be focus towns, says report

Smiles and cheers

LOVE for people and food have seen Emma Dotollo and Abi Umali quickly settle in as new owners of Pyramid Hill Bakery and Cafe.

The long-time friends have added their own style of friendliness to the popular cafe where the famous recipe for pies and sausage rolls lives on.

And the bakery and cafe has also been acclaimed this year as having some of the best potato cakes in Australia.

Emma and Abi have added barista skills to their impressive talents and the Pyramid Hill brew has found immediate favour with locals and visitors to the town.

Their infectious smiles and bubbly personalities match the service and range of drinks, snacks and meals available at Pyramid Hill Bakery and Cafe. “We love preparing wonderful food for our customers and giving them a warm welcome,” said Emma and Abi.

River camp site risk fears

RIVERSIDE camping areas

opened by the State Government had poor mobile connectivity and put people at greater potential risk, according to a former Loddon Shire councillor.

Colleen Condliffe says poor service put campers at unnecessary risk during disasters and emergencies.

“Farmers whose Crown licence land now includes access to river camping sites know the problems with telephone service in the area,” she said.

“Campers coming from Mel-

Bargains and opportunities

BARGAIN hunters jumped at the opportunity to do a deal at the weekend when Inglewood Ambulance Auxiliary op-shop held a big garage sale.

Co-ordinator Faye Orange said the shop was overstocked after many recent donations of goods.

“The weekend sale with extra discounts on good value items had people coming in for a browse,” she said.

“There were local people and visitors to town looking through our rooms that are chock-a-block at the moment and finding their special buy.”

Op-shops in Inglewood and Wedderburn have put a temporary halt on receiving donations.

bourne and other areas may not and there is no indication on camp site access signs warning that mobile service is limited or non-existent,” she said.

“This can make camping at secluded river spots danger-

ous when there are flood or fire warnings not being received or accessed because there is no service.”

The State Government has marked more than 20 camping areas along the Loddon River in the past 12 months.

Loddon residents in popular tourists spots, including Newbridge, Laanecoorie and Kooyoora State Park, have raised concerns this year that connectivity and service has dropped.

They claim the phasing out of 3G connections is also impact-

ing service realiability across the shire. Telstra shows less coverage areas for 4G technology and virtually no coverage for 5G.

Mrs Condliffe said visitors to the Loddon River should be provided with more information on local connectivity.

“We weren’t happy that the Government allowed entry to camp sites through land we farm.

“But at least they can have safety warnings in place and keep people safer when coming into areas where phone coverage is far from good,” she said.

Volunteers in first strike team

VOLUNTEERS from the

CFA’s Southern Loddon Group were among the first strike teams sent into assist devastating fires near Beaufort last Thursday.

Group officer Tim Ferguson and Inglewood captain Andrew Smith led the local team in the battle that involved more than 1000 firefighters and continues to burn.

Members from Bridgewater, Inglewood, Rheola, Murphys Creek and Newbridge battled flames coming within metres of buildings in the Raglan district.

Local brigades also attended two fires on last Thursday’s total fire ban day on the Wimmera Highway at Woodstock.

One was reported to be the burning of rubbish with the incident referred to police for investigation.

The lighting of fires and open air burning is prohibited on total fire ban days with penalties including fines and jail for offenders.

Yesterday saw the fire danger rating across the Northern Country, including Loddon communities, at extreme with temperatures in the high 30s.

Faye Orange helps Grace Gudykunst with her purchases at the op-shop garage sale. LH PHOTO

Second closure protest

THEY’VE beaten me, Inglewood businesswoman Carey Ims said after announcing her Brooke Street shop would close.

The horse and clothing store owner says implementation of permit rules for footpath display of goods had cost the business customers.

Ms Ims has been a critic of Loddon Shire’s requirement that businesses meet guidelines of the federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992 on where goods were displayed.

“It’s only a guideline,” Ms Ims said at the weekend.

She is the second Brooke Street store to announce its closure this month amid criticism of council.

However, nearby Fusspots antique store has since been reopening on selected weekends to coincide with peaks in visitors to the Loddon for events and celebrations.

Ms Ims said the attitude of council around permits was not supporting the tourism industry.

“The whole system (of permits) is wrong,” she said.

She claimed businesses could erect bollards at no cost but she was required to pay $57 to place an advertising sign on the footpath under “good practice guidelines that are not law”.

Ms Ims claimed she had been threatened with confiscation of goods displayed on the footpath.

And she has also claimed double standards enforcing the permit requirements across Loddon towns.

Ms Ims moved her Horseworld business a block south to

the main Brooke Street shopping precinct in 2020. She has written to council and Mallee MP Anne Webster complaining about the permit rules.

Council’s wellbeing director

Wendy Gladman said earlier this month: “Council’s position is that items such as A-frame signs and goods for sale should be placed on the kerbside of the footpath, rather than against the building.

“This guideline has been in place for many years and it is intended to provide a continuous

accessible path of travel to allow people with a range of abilities to use the footpath without encountering barriers, in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. The Act does not provide exemptions based on the size of the town.”

Mrs Gladman said there was no proposal to alter the shire’s guidelines or the permit requirements.

Inglewood Development and Tourism Committee called a meeting for businesses and

council officials last year after the shire sent letters to traders about permits.

Council staff told the meeting they wanted consistency and compliance with the Act across all Loddon Shire communities and would work with businesses. By earlier this month, 38 businesses had applied for permits, including stores in Inglewood.

Most have been approved with some at review stage waiting on the business public liability insurance information.

Builders on school site next month

WORK will start next month on the $12.9 million upgrade at Wedderburn College.

Victorian School Building Authority has told neighbouring residents that work will include removal of asbestos.

“Asbestos removal works will take place as part of this project. The health and safety of the school and local community is paramount, and any identified asbestos will be removed in strict accordance with occupational health and safety regulations and will be lodged with WorkSafe Victoria.

“No asbestos works will be scheduled for removal while students or staff are on site.”

New school buildings are expected to be constructed by the second half of 2025.

Miner announces $9m half-year profit

WESTERN Australian acquisitions have helped Catalyst Metals return a $9 million half-year net profit to December.

Tuesday’s announcement reverses a first half loss in 20222023 of $2.4 million.

The company’s debt obligations have risen $5.2 million in the last six months to $43.1 million.

Catalyst holds exploration licences in the Mitiamo district and has announced plans to build at $20 million tunnel.

Work plans for the project remain under review with the State Government.

Small Business Bus coming to Wedderburn

The Victorian Government’s Small Business Bus will be in Wedderburn on Tuesday 26 March. The bus will be located at the Council O ce between 10am and 4pm on the corner of High and Kerr streets (adjacent to 41 High Street).

The Small Business Bus o ers free 45-minute mentoring sessions to help you

start or build your small business. Business Recovery Advisers can provide support with small business coaching, continuity and resilience planning, mentorship and capability building. This assistance is aimed at helping businesses reactivate, develop sustainable business models and strengthen throughout the

recovery period and beyond. You can make an appointment by visiting the website: https://business.vic.gov.au/ learning-and-advice/workshops-andsmall-business-bus/view?id=E24923

For more information or any questions about the Small Business Bus, please call Business Victoria on 13 22 15.

Loddon Shire Council ward boundary review

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is reviewing the ward boundaries of Loddon Shire Council at the request of the Minister for Local Government and is seeking your input.

The preliminary report and response submissions for the Loddon Shire Council

review opened on Wednesday 21 February. Submissions close at 5pm Wednesday 13 March 2024.

In your submission, you can also ask to speak at a public hearing.

At the end of the review, the VEC will make a nal recommendation to the Minister

for Local Government. Any changes to the ward boundaries of Loddon Shire Council following this review are expected to apply at the next local council elections. To nd out more about the review process and how you can have your say, visit www.vec.vic.gov.au/loddon

Showcase explores jobs in tourism businesses

EMPLOYMENT opportunities with Loddon businesses were in the spotlight last week.

Workforce Australia and Bendigo Regional Tourism took employment agencies on a tour of businesses at Bridgewater.

Loddon employers spoke of the opportunities and challenges of working in the district.

The tour included Laucke flour mills, Water Wheel Wines, Black Wallaby Wines, Bridgewater Bakehouse and the Bridgewater Hotel. Loddon Shire also spoke about employment opportunities with council.

Workforce Australia employment facilitator Christopher Booth said the Loddon showcase tour aimed to create aspirations for a tourism workforce.

“We also want to strengthen the relationship between businesses and service providers,” he said.

“We want to be proactive in finding labour force solutions, address skill gaps.

“The Tourism Workforce Activation visit showcased local businesses, raising awareness of employment opportunities, creating aspiration for job seekers and strengthening relationships.”

Workforce Australia is a Federal Government-funded network of organisations that are contracted by the Australian Government to deliver employment services to unemployed job seekers on Government income support payments and employers.

Some employers told Workforce Australia a key challenge to recruitment was accommodation for new workers coming to the region. Access to child care was also raised by employers as an issue.

Big blackout review panel appointed

THE power blackout that left some Loddon residents without power for more than 24 hours earlier this month will be part of a State Government review.

A panel will make recommendations on the operational response of transmission and distribution businesses, including contingency planning, timely and effective management of the incident, and restoration of supply, including distribution of temporary generators, following the storm.

More than 530,000 electricity customers across Victoria were without power.

The review will investigate the distribution and transmission companies process for enacting state emergency management restoration priorities and consider the efficacy of control room operations and escalation models to manage and direct the response to the event.

Hunter

Trading hours

Monday – Open 3.00pm

Dinner from 6.00pm

Social Darts Night

Tuesday – Open 2.00pm

Dinner from 6.00pm  Trivia Night

Wednesday – Open Midday

Lunch from 12.00pm

Dinner from 6.00pm

Pot’n’Parma Night

Thursday – Open Midday

Dinner from 5.30pm

Steak’n’Pot Night

Friday – Open Midday

Lunch from 12.00pm

Dinner from 5.30pm

Happy Hour 5.00pm – 6.30pm

With Hot Bar Snacks, Meat Raffle

Saturday – Open Midday

Lunch from 12.00pm

Dinner from 5.30pm

Sunday – Open Midday

All Day Pizza Menu  Close 11.00pm

Workforce Australia’s tour through Laucke flour mills. LH PHOTO

Nelson is the newest member of the Boort Cub Scouts and has joined other members gaining swimming badges in the troop’s first activity for the year. Cubs is for children aged 7.5 to 11 and meet in Boort on Mondays after school..

COUNCIL WARD REVIEW

Jungwirth bolts out with re-election announcement

FIRST-TERM Loddon councillor

Linda Jungwirth is the first to declare making a tilt for re-election in October.

The Tarnagulla Ward repre sentative who last year said there needed to be a culture change within the council made the an nouncement within 24 hours of the single proposal VEC plan for new ward boundaries.

She told social media followers:

“I’d like to let you know I have decided to be your candidate in the local government elections in 2024. I’ve loved working closely with the community and being your voice in the council cham

Cr Jungwirth earlier told online fans she was “now recharged, re focussed and even more deter mined to perform my role as a community representative in the

most effective manner possible” after attending Recalibrate 2024 with local government councillor coach and consultant Ruth “There’s something very spe cial about being in a room full of strong, empathetic women,” she

Cr Jungwirth last November unsuccessfully nominated Cr Wendy Murphy to be Loddon’s

mayor. She later said the failure to elect a woman as mayor was a disappointment and called for people backing more action on climate change to stand at this year’s elections.

Cr Gavan Holt won the mayoral vote 3-2, saying he wanted to keep wokeism out of Loddon

All councillors are eligible to renominate in October.

Fait accompli? Canvas other boundary options

A SINGLE proposal and two weeks for consultation makes the VEC review of Loddon Shire ward boundaries appear rushed and pre-determined. Desktop modelling and data behind projections - something the VEC refuses to release to the ratepayers who ultimately see their money being diverted from road maintenance to pay for this review - cannot justify a proposal that actually advocates for dilution of the shire’s economic base and connection of communities.

VEC: minimalist approach

The VEC also says there will be continued decline in the shire’s population despite official ABS Census figures showing an increase for the first time in 20 years.

The review panel that has recommended some parts of Bridgewater being moved from Inglewood to Tarnagulla Ward, said: “As the council population is relatively stable, there was no reason for large or disruptive changes to the existing structure. Further, as the two wards forecast to be outside of the +/-10% deviation range at the 2024 elections are adjacent, it was possible to make

a neat transfer of voters from one ward to another without making changes to other wards. The panel believed the proposed change would minimise impacts to communities of interest, and affected voters were likely to have connections with Inglewood and Tarnagulla wards.

“The panel identified one potential drawback of the preliminary model. The adjusted ward boundary would run through the locality of Bridgewater, about 2km to the south of Bridgewater on Loddon. This may result in some voters with connections to Bridgewater on Loddon and Inglewood being included in a different ward to those townships. However, many of these residents may travel outside of the council area to Bendigo for many

goods and services, and this division may have minimal impacts for those voters.”

The VEC said its ward boundary review also considered whether meaningful and effective ward boundaries could be established and whether these would be easily identifiable to local communities, the representation of communities of interest and the voter distribution and physical features of the area, and the impact these may have on the shape and size of wards.

The review report says Loddon has a higher average age than most other rural areas and a lower cultural diversity.

Submissions close on March 13 and a public hearing will only be held if at least one person asks to speak.

The VEC may not have had the time, or the lateral thinking, to explore other ward boundaries options. But using the online mapping tool the independent election body has provided, there is at least one that should be on the table for consideration and scrutiny.

Coming close to the enrolment deviation of the VEC proposal is what could be Option B that reconnects Korong Vale to the Wedderburn Ward and gives Tarnagulla Ward a major community by hiving off Bridgewater from Inglewood Ward.

It fits within the constraints of the review - ward names cannot be changed. A new-look Tarnagulla Ward would link the Loddon River towns of Bridgewater and Newbridge, retain a focus for council to enhance the liveability and economic performance of these communities and perhaps even end the vying for a limited pot for the shire’s predicted first big growth areas of Inglewood and Bridgewater.

Inglewood Ward under this op-

By CHRIS EARL

tion would again pick up areas around Kooyoora State Park, the natural bushland attraction at the town’s backdoor.

And bringing Korong Vale once more into Wedderburn Ward should be a no-brainer. There is ample and demonstrable community of interest.

That brings thinking to Boort Ward and with the Loddon Valley Highway an arterial blood vein, Serpentine could be moved into the Northern Oasis.

To balance up the numbers Terrick Ward would come south to include Campbells Forest, Bridgewater North and Leichardt districts. A real broadacre farming ward with commonality of aspirations and needs.

If the VEC does look at something other its own “quick and easy” proposal, Boort Ward would be 2.69 per cent under the average enrolment, Inglewood Ward 0.8 per cent over, Tarnagulla Ward 5.9 per cent over, Terrick Ward 3.70 per cent under and Wedderburn Ward 0.40 per cent under. Figures that should accommodate areas of growth and decline over the next 10 years.

Time is short for consultation on the VEC ward review - putting out one proposal hints at a wish for little or no engagement or discussion.

Local government is about strengthening local economies and empowering communities. The VEC proposal may fall short on that front.

The VEC has put just one option (left) on the table in its review of Loddon Shire ward boundaries but there could be another way to connect communities for today and into the future (above)

Linda Jungwirth

Museum eyes history site change

HISTORY

Loddon Shire is looking to sell the original Korong Shire offices in High Street and relocate Wedderburn Historical Records Museum to the town’s former court house and police station.

The old shire offices were used by council from 1874 until 1962 with the society making the historic building its home in 1978, a decade after its formation.

Society secretary Alan Mulraney said the original shire offices lacked toilets and other facilities.

“At the moment, when we have people in the building and anyone needs to use the toilet, they have to go up the street,” he said.

“It a small building and the proposal to move into the old court house will give us more space.”

“A lot of our records have been digitised but there still needs to be workspace for research and helping people with their enquiries,

“Since its foundation, the society has acquired tens of thousands of documents and in 2017 a computer software package

was developed to digitise these documents.”

President Daryl Arnott said several other groups were likely to share the court house complex.

“We can make it a real community hub and encourage people to join the organisations.

“This will be a real positive for the community and groups in Wedderburn.”

Mr Arnott said the society had identified the court house as a future home when the new police station was built four years ago.

Among digital scans in the society’s collection are copies of the Wedderburn Express and town-related articles published in the Loddon Herald since its first edition in 2021.

Loddon Shire councillors last November voted to buy the old court house at valuation using money from its land and buildings reserve fund.

They also decided to instruct Chief Executive Officer Lincoln Fitzgerald to dispose of the council-owned for Korong Shire offices after purchasing the old court house.

Town group wants centre to re-open

KORONG Vale is resisting plans by Loddon Shire to sell the town’s community centre.

Instead, the new community planning committee has re-opening of the centre as its first priority.

“The local shire has made a decision to sell off this community asset for a second time, despite the unsuitability of the building for domestic purposes,” said secretary Rhonda McTaggart.

“The new community plan aims to re-open the centre as their first main goal.

“As is the shire process, a number of submissions have been put through to the Loddon Shire Council from us and we are now awaiting further discussions to take place regarding the submissions.

“There are residents from the town who are now in their 90s who would dearly love the see the citizens’ centre become a community hub once again.

“The citizens’ centre is not just about a building; it’s about the legacy of those who envisioned a better, more connected community.“

A Wedderburn group is also opposing council’s planned sale of lane gifted to the former Shire of Korong by the Anglican Diocese.

TRADING PLACES ... Wedderburn’s history group could soon be in the old court house under a council swap plan

Pyramid Hill Memorial Hall - 21 March 2024Doors Open 6.30pm Show Starts 7.00pm

Full Admission – $10 Child Admission (Aged 12 and Under – Must be accompanied by an adult) – Free

Tickets smallhalls.iwannaticket.com.au or, you can purchase tickets locally at Pyramid Hill Neighbourhood House

Quality art attracts buyers to show

STRONG sales of paintings exhibited at the second Pyramid Hill Major’s Vision Art Show had highlighted the high quality of works, said an organiser Terry Wood.

Mr Wood said more than 30 paintings were sold during the show’s week-long run in the memorial hall.

“That’s a very good number for any show of our size and says that people appreciate the quality of the entries we received this year,” Mr Wood said.

More than 150 people attended the show’s preview opening night with an average of 50 visitors a day to the exhibition during its six days open to the public.

They voted for the people’s voice award that was won by Michelle Hazelton’s Our Pyramid painting, a work in acrylic featuring the railway station.

Sarah Wallace-Smith’s Dy Dy in the Dahlias was chosen as best in show by judge Terry Jarvis.

Mr Wood said show organisers ran a shuttle service between the railway station and memorial hall.

“We see there is still plenty of room to expand the train connection between Bendigo and Pyramid Hill and we have already had talks about V/Line being involved in promotion of the art show travel links,” he said.

Winner of the people’s choice award at last week’s art show in Pyramid Hill

“The proximity of attractions and hospitality to the railway station certainly make a day trip by train to Pyramid Hill a very good prospect both for the art show and at other times of the year.

Mr Wood said this year’s show, organised by the progress association, had been successful thanks to local support of volunteers and sponsors.

Green diet agenda unleashes dangerous ‘war on meat’

IDEOLOGICAL agendas must not interfere with the diet of everyday Australians in Mallee, said Shadow Assistant Minister for Regional Health and Mallee MP Anne Webster.

The National Health and Medical Research Council is toying with changing the Australian Dietary Guidelines to incorporate environmental sustainability, casting doubt over the future of meat in Australia.

“Changing dietary guidelines based on their environmental impact is a massive overreach,” Dr Webster said.

“The NHMRC are health experts and not an environmental authority, this should be reflected in the advice they are giving. They need to stay in their lane.”

Dr Webster said the “war on meat” pushed by environmentalists compromises a person’s health and would have dire consequences for Mallee’s agriculturedriven economy.

“A balanced diet is key to healthy living and avoiding conditions such as iron deficiency anaemia, which is thought to affect up to five per cent of the Australian population,” Dr Webster said.

“It does not make sense to let green activism dictate what we can and can’t eat.

Will we have to stop consuming dairy products as well to ‘care for the environment’? The impact on Mallee’s farmers and their contribution to Australia’s bottom line would be horrendous.

“New Zealand has gone down that path with their ridiculous methane tax on cow emissions, which has thankfully been ruled out for now by Agriculture Minister Murray Watt. It is ideology on steroids. Of course, the Prime Minister said he wasn’t going to change the Stage 3 Tax Cuts either so Mallee voters cannot trust any promise this Government makes.”

Australian Dietary Guidelines are to be updated by the end of 2026.

PETER WALSH MP YOUR VOICE IN PARLIAMENT

YOUR VOICE IN PARLIAMENT

We are family, friends, colleagues and neighbours

We are family, friends, colleagues and neighbours

We are family, friends, colleagues and neighbours

— but most of all we are a community. coping

If you need advice or assistance with anything related to government, or in your general day-to-day life, please contact my of ce on the details below and we will do our best to help

For the latest Coronavirus information go to peterwalsh.org.au or follow us on

If you need advice or assistance with anything related to government, or in your general day-to-day life, please contact my of ce on the details below and we will do our best to help you.

The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on all our lives so looking after your mental wellbeing is essential. It is normal to feel anxious, stressed and fearful during times of crisis. The Federal Government is providing support for the mental health and wellbeing of Australians as we face the challenges of the pandemic; go to www.headtohealth.gov.au if you feel like you might need some additional help coping with anxiety and worry about Coronavirus.

We are in this together, and together we will get through.

For the latest Coronavirus information go to peterwalsh.org.au or follow us on

If you need advice or assistance with anything related to government, or in your general day-to-day life, please contact my of ce on the details below and we will do our best to help you.

For the latest Coronavirus information go to peterwalsh.org.au or follow us on

The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on all our lives so looking after your mental wellbeing is essential. It is normal to feel anxious, stressed and fearful during times of crisis. The Federal Government is providing support for the mental health and wellbeing of Australians as we face the challenges of the pandemic; go to www.headtohealth.gov.au if you feel like you might need some additional help coping with anxiety and worry about Coronavirus.

The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on all our lives so looking after your mental wellbeing is essential. It is normal to feel anxious, stressed and fearful during times of crisis. The Federal Government is providing support for the mental health and wellbeing of Australians as we face the challenges of the pandemic; go to www.headtohealth.gov.au if you feel like you might need some additional help coping with anxiety and worry about Coronavirus.

of We are in this together, and together we will get through.

Peter Walsh MP 496 High Street, Echuca 3564 Tel: 5482 2039 or 1300 467 906 E: peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au

Peter Walsh MP 496 High Street, Echuca 3564 Tel: 5482 2039 or 1300 467 906 E: peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au

Peter Walsh MP 496 High Street, Echuca 3564 Tel: 5482 2039 or 1300 467 906 E: peter.walsh@parliament.vic.gov.au

Terry Wood and daughter Josie Hunter enjoy opening night of the second Major’s Vision Art Show in Pyramid Hill. LH PHOTO

Champions - 8/9

PYRAMID HILL SCHOOLS’ SWIMMING SPORTS

PYRAMID Hill College and St Patrick’s Primary School held their combined swimming sports on Friday.

Year Girls: Tia Gould. Boys: Tobias Wiltshire. 10 Year Girls: Lillian Broad. Boys: Zeb Gould. 11 Year Girls: Xanthe Farrar. Boys: Samer Mohamed. 12 Year Girls: Elsie Poole. Boys: Brady Gilmore. 13 Year Girls: Siri Harrison. Boys: Tristan Broad. 14 Year Girls: Cecily Farrar. Boys: Cooper Gould. 15 Year Girls: Dempsey Lee. Boys: Rylan Chislett. Open Girls: Shamica Castro, Eloise Walters. Boys: Jack Gould. New record: Cooper Gould U/14 Backstroke (29.91)

Laura Harding and Eliza Holland. LH PHOTOS

Lily Simmons (above) enjoys the junior events while Elsie Poole (right) swims her way to the age group championship

Jasper Mutugi and Jax Wigg Teacher Tom Jones checks the times

Tia Gould and Olivia Scott Jed Stewart

Ryland Chislett

Ronnie Jessop and Jett Mitchell

SUPPLY increased, particularly in the mutton section as the higher prices of the past week resulted in 5300 sheep being yarded.

The stronger trend did follow onto Bendigo on Monday with most sheep categories $30 to $40/head dearer.

It was a plainer lamb yarding with less polish and weight on offer this week.

Most lamb prices were just similar to softer than a week ago, with some big name exporters not operating and most buyers fairly subdued.

Export lambs over 30kg cwt from $192 to a top of $232 and this category did have some flat spots during the auction for results that stretched from 600c to 660c/kg for a ballpark cost of 645c/kg cwt.

Heavy crossbred lambs, 26-30kg, from $162 to $189, and heavy trades $153 to $163/head.

Price results for trade lambs were quality driven at $130 to $160. Overall a rate of 600c to 650c/kg blanketed a lot of sales to processors, but with secondary lambs still at 550c to 580c/kg.

Decent light lambs from $70 to $125 for most. There was a large run of 800 plus Dorper lambs that had been sent in from NSW pastoral country and their seed status was unknown which affected pricing, and they are listed as fat score 1 lambs in this report to keep them seperate from other lines.

The mutton market was dearer, with trade and light sheep selling to the best demand.

Heavy sheep were dearer but were generally capped under $120 per head regardless of weight.

And there was a lot of heavy sheep in the yarding. Extra heavy Merino wethers to $128, big crossbred ewes $93 to $114. The general run of trade type sheep $60 to $90.

Heavy mutton categories were averaging around 300c/kg cwt, with averages

lifting to 350c/kg on trade types and with some pens of sheep close to 400c at times.

CROSSBRED LAMBS

BA & L Kennaugh Moama (64) $220. GK & TA Turnbull Bridgewater (84) $213. WJ Whatley Goornong (42) $207. B & J Weeks Echuca (115) $207. GR & H Nankivell Raywood (46) $206. BA & L Kennaugh Moama (53) $206. AB & KB Broom Neereman (75) $205. F Hately Mangalore (22) $195. W Bennett & L McElroy Moulamein (45) $184. Terry Loft Mangalore (40) $184. J & K Kennedy Pyramid Hill (59) $180. McKinnon & Bailey Leichardt (40) $168.

MERINO LAMBS

Monmore P/L Laanecoorie (177) $123.

HOGGETTS

Watershed West Watchem (12) $120. S Seyit Springfield (14) $115. Sheridan Family Trust Donald (37) $114.

MERINO WETHERS

M Warr Arnold (107) $120. PL & SM Hayes Tooborac (201) $104. CROSSBRED EWES

David Joyce Gilgil (13) $115. RE & SL Pedersen Kamarooka (16) $114. Burnewang Nth Past Rochester (74) $110. I & M Palmer Boort (50) $110. F Hately Mangalore (40) $110. DWJ & M Turnbull Dumosa (43) $105. D & M McKinnon Marong (28) $105. I & J Whatley Goornong (28) $105. J Swanton Coriella (36) $100.

MERINO EWES

Watershed West Watchem (37) $125. G & R Dickenson Heathcote (76) $124. J & K Kennedy Pyramid Hill (24) $120. Burnewang Nth Past Rochester (25) $112. Sheridan Family Trust Donald (80) $104.

Order of sales next week: Nuttall, McKean McGregor, Elders, Nevins, Nutrien.

SUPPLIED BY ASSOCIATED STOCK AGENTS grain

BOORT Grain Co-op prices on Monday.

Wheat – H1 $340. H2 $303. APW $293. ASW $273. GP1 $260.50

Barley – Maximus $275. Planet $288. Spartacus $271. Bar1 $260. Bar2 $250.

Pulses – Faba1 $470. Faba2 $435. Field pea $440.

Canola – ISCC GM $555. GM $531.75.

New crop 2024-2025 – APW MG $302. Bar1 MG $260. ISCC GM CANG $545.

WOOL REPORT

The Australian wool market recorded an overall unchanged result last week, after five consecutive selling series of losses. Price movements varied across wool types, micron groups and selling centres. The overall trend in the merino fleece sector was a softening in the finer microns (18.5 micron and finer), and a firm to dearer market in the medium to broad sector (19.0 micron and coarser). Across all regions, the movements in the individual Micron Price Guides (MPGs) for merino fleece, ranged between plus 14 and minus 29 cents. 17-microns fell again this week; the East coast 17-MPG average is now 196 cents lower than the start of January.

The crossbreds eased slightly overall, the finer and coarser edges of the crossbred market most affected. The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) gained two cents on the first selling day, increasing its run of daily rises to three. The second selling day the EMI gave back the two cents it gained. Thursday was an unusual New Zealand only offering, the first time this has occurred in over four years. The 4,554 bales on offer was the largest New Zealand offering since 2007.

As there was no Australian wool offered, all MPG and EMI movements were unchanged (in Australian dollar terms), as New Zealand wool does not contribute to these indicators.

When viewed in USD terms the EMI movements have been more positive. After halting a seven selling day downward slide on the final day last week, the EMI added 4 and 6 cents across the first two selling days. Currency movement alone, lowering it by one cent on the third. The USD EMI closed the week 8 cents higher at 759 US cents.

This week, quantity is expected to be of a similar size. There are currently 40,168 bales rostered for sale nationally over two days, with Sydney a designated Superfine sale.

Bendigo Sheep & Lamb Market Report

Sheep and lambs sold to a stronger trend in a mixed quality yarding, with mutton the highlight of the day.

To discuss the marketing opportunities available for your livestock, contact the McKean McGregor team.

Alex Pollock -

Will Lowe

FLOOD RECOVERY UPDATE BULLETIN

29 FEBRUARY 2024

HEALTH & WELLBEING SUPPORT

Royal Flying Doctor Service - Flying Doctor Wellbeing - Available to those aged 18+. Call (03) 8412 0480.

Rural Financial Counselling Service - free and con dential nancial support - Call 1300 735 578

Mind Australia Bendigo Call 1300 286 463 or visit mindaustralia.org.au

Orange Door - You have a right to be safe - Call 1800 512 359

Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO) - An intake organisation for Alcohol and other Drugs, Mental health, Youth and other clinical services for the Loddon area.

1800respect - Con dential information, counselling and support service. Call 1800 737 732

Nurse on Call 24 hour caring and professional health advice 1300 60 60 24.

Lifeline: 24hr crisis support and suicide prevention services: 13 11 14 or lifeline. org.au

Beyond Blue Information and support for anxiety and/or depression: 1300 224 636 or beyondblue.com.au

Kids Help Line 24hr phone and online counselling service for people aged 5-25: 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au

Seniors Rights Victoria - Elder abuse, prevention and support - 1300 368 821

Emerging Minds Provides resources for parents, carers, and families about infant and child mental health: emergingminds.com.au

Translation and Interpreter Services

Provides access to phone and on-site interpreting services. Requests must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance. www.tisnational.gov.au

National Relay Service Assistance making a phone call if you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impediment. Speak and listen number: 1300 555 727.

LOCAL SUPPORT SERVICES

Community Health/Hospitals

Boort District Health

3 Kiniry St, Boort P: (03) 5451 5200

Inglewood and District Health Services

3 Hospital St, Inglewood P: (03) 5431 7000

Northern District Community Health P: (03) 5451 0200

Boort Medical Centre

2 Coutts St, Boort P:(03) 5451 5200

Dingee Bush Nursing Centre

21 King St, Dingee P:(03) 5436 8309

Marong Medical Practice

8 Hospital St, Inglewood P:(03) 5438 3308

Wedderburn Health Clinic 25 Wilson St, Wedderburn P: (03) 5494 3511

Legal Services

Loddon Campaspe Community Legal Service P: 1800 450 909

Neighbourhood Houses

Boort Resource and Information Centre (BRIC) 119-121 Godfrey St, Boort P: (03) 5455 2716

Inglewood Community Neighbourhood House

Cnr Verdon & Market St, Inglewood P: (03)5455 2716

Pyramid Hill Neighbourhood House

43 Kelly St, Pyramid Hill P: (03) 5455 7129

Wedderburn Community House

24 Wilson St, Wedderburn

P: (03) 5494 3489

Pyramid Hill Family Fun Night success

On Friday 23 February, the Pyramid Hill community came together at Mitchell Park for a terri c night of family fun as part of the Loddon Shire Council’s Flood Recovery program funded by the Australian and Victorian governments. The free event, which featured live music, circus activities, wood red pizza and souvlakis just to name a few, attracted over 120 people from Pyramid and the surrounding area giving the community a valuable opportunity to catch up, reconnect and relax together.

Local support agencies also got on board with Boort District Hospital whipping up pedal-powered smoothies and Northern Districts Community Health running mini golf while also promoting the health and wellbeing support available. With plenty on o er to entertain and delight, the crowd certainly seemed to enjoy the night which was developed by local volunteers, including Progress Association president and event emcee Drew Chislett.

One of the evening’s many highlights was the community mural activity facilitated by artist Wes Franklin and inspired by a quote from Dr Rob Gordon who has presented at recovery events in Loddon following the 2022 oods. The chalk mural is now on display in the Pyramid Hill Supermarket window. Well done to the local organising group and to all those who made it along.

Decorating a chalk mural and learning circus tricks entertained the many children.

LODDON SHIRE SERVICES AND CONTACTS

Loddon Shire Council’s Flood Recovery team would love to hear from you and assist you through your ood recovery.

Please get in touch if you would like to chat about ood recovery for you and your community. Call Mal: 0499 978 145 or

Part of the crowd at Pyramid Hill on Friday evening

VCC EM Outreach

In response to the compounding trauma caused by the ood and storm events of December 2023 and January 2024 Loddon Shire Council has mobilized the Victorian Council of Churches Emergencies Ministry (VCC EM) - an organisation specialising in disaster response in Victoria.

The VCC EM trained outreach teams have been visiting farming families in Loddon Shire in their own homes to o er information and gather details as to the needs of those individuals.

BlazeAid

BlazeAid is assisting 15 registered farming families in Loddon Shire with fencing repairs. Operating from a base camp in Boort the fencing crew has so far completed over three kilometres of fencing and invested 44 volunteer days of labour.

Tractors, trucks and old door attract interest

TRACTORS and trucks were the big-ticket items at a major agricultural clearing sale on Friday.

The major lots sold for up to $48,000 when farming equipment from the estate of Chris Cox went under the hammer at Sylvaterre, between Mitiamo and Pyramid Hill.

But there was also strong interest in other lots where local Peter Reynolds was among successful bidders.

He also had an interest in an old Ford

truck that had first belonged to Chris’ father Des.

“I brought the cabin back from Kerang for Des and he took the door off his old truck and attached it to new cabin because it already has his name on it,” Peter said. “And I remember back in the 60s he would then pick up sheep and cattle and take them to market in Bendigo.”

Pyramid Hill Lions Club provided catering at the auction conducted by FP Nevins and Co.

Next generation farmers are set to roll

HUNDREDS of people are booking their spots for the Birchip Cropping Group’s first young farmer network ball in Bridgewater next month.

Group project officer Demi Taylor said the ball, expected to be attended by more than 300 younger generation farmers from across Victoria and southern New South Wales, aimed to help farmers network with other innovative and passionate farmers. “We’ve been blown away with the early interest,” said Demi.

The group has established Young Farmer Network hubs in Loddon, Buloke, Quambatook, West Wimmera, and Yarriambi-

ack/Hindmarsh. “If you live outside of the existing five groups and aren’t affiliated with BCG, you can still come along and be involved,” Demi said.

“Our Young Farmer Network is inclusive and open to all. You don’t have to consider yourself young or a farmer to be involved, as it is simply aimed at the youngest active generation on farm with desire to progress their business, or those interested in the agricultural industry.

Demi said the group would be running buses from Boort, Birchip and Bendigo for the March 15 event including music from Mallee acoustic duo Taina and Talei Brooks.

Is traceability important to your business?

Find out how traceability can benefit your business by visiting Agriculture Victoria’s website today.

• Take a look at short videos of traceability in action on farms across Victoria

• Hear from industry experts in the Traceability Podcast series on systems, standards, and technology

• Join the Traceability Community to connect with industry stakeholders

• Read the Traceability Quick Start Guide and find tools to help with decision-making.

Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/traceability for more information.

FOR SALE

6 Armstrong Street, Charlton Expression of Interest invited

Your inspection will surprise, beyond the delightful park-like streetscape is a property that offers the prospect of your forever-after home.

Comprising huge living area with dining area, well appointed kitchen, family rumpus room, 5 bedrooms (4 with BIRs, main with huge W/I robe and en-suite), bathroom suite with separate bath, shower, toilet & vanity areas, office. Lifestyle features abound with courtyard access from living room, rumpus room and bedroom. Consider also the lock up garage with room for 4 cars plus carport.

Open for inspection Sunday 24th March, 10.30am – 11.30am.

Prior inspections by appointment.

Close date for Expression of Interest: Friday 5th April, 12 noon.

Selling agent:

Noel Bennett 0417 562 691

Elders Wycheproof

Terry Stobsaus, Peter Reynolds and Peter Meighan at Friday’s clearing sale beside the old truck bearing the Cox family name on the driver’s door while (right) Bridgewater’s Rob Pollock was among buyers of tractors that went under the hammer. LH PHOTOS

Build on vibe that creates destination

Sir, I read the article Destination Brooke Street (Loddon Herald, February 15) with great interest, as Brooke Street, with its mix of antique and collectables shops adding to the ambience of the said st, was in fact a major drawcard for myself whilst looking to relocate in 2019.

The streetscape was enhanced with the wares and displays out front, the lovely and carefully thought window displays, the traders themselves were wonderful to talk with, and it just had a good feeling to walk and look/admire – the seasonal grapevines added another touch of nostalgia and glimpse into the past of the town.

So it was with heavy heart I read of the Fusspots closure to retail sales- this will make a big gap in the stroll down the street.

As the ruling regarding access/handicapped manoeuvring is a Federal law, I believe another decision could’ve been made to stay open to the public here in Inglewood – allowing all to still be proud of our eclectic mix in the many open shopfronts.

The potted flowers on the window sills, placed daily outside Fusspots, at the least added colour, cheer and declared an “open” status.

Surely this could’ve been added to with wall mounted signage/ware, or same hanging from the verandah eaves or similar, not positioned on the actual footpath – and i am sure there could’ve been other ways to express the open status of the shop without blocking/interupting flow of the footpath and its traffic. But it was with a sharp intake of breath i read the – to my mind – ludicrous statement by Cr Wendy Murphy stating Inglewood could be turned into a foodie strip.

Thankfully we have two food outlet options operating at night (the hotel and the fish and chippery), but an extra establishment added could offer Asian/ Mediterranean/Fusion/Tapas style food options. this would benefit both locals and the travellers – especially during an extended visit and stay here in inglewood and surrounds. I suggest only one extra establishment, meaning all three could still be viable to operate, with good, strong competition – not cutthroat. meaning all three businesses could survive, and the owners compensated relatively well for their services, even during the quieter, non touristy times.

Most towns have food outlets a’plenty. Inglewood has something more unique and eclectic and appealing with our mix of galleries, antique and collectable shops, and our current food outlets, for people to both meander through and around, enjoying, talking and hopefully purchasing ... food outlets only make for a stop of the car, a choice, followed by a departure – meaning little of our glorious, quaint and different town and surrounds are seen by travellers – nor do they learn of our place in the gold era and of our history.

And, without a flood of openings, all traders hopefully can make a living, and enjoy being part of the

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

attractions of the town. Thinking outside the box, Cr Murphy, not following along with the flow is the the only way foward, I believe – as Fusspots owners have decided to do and to which you applauded.

We have a mini-Castlemaine type vibe here, sans hustle and bustle and size and I feel we should embrace and build upon that to keep Inglewood as a destination, or as a relaxed stopover – not just a drive through, or stop, eat and leave town.

My thoughts only, but, yes, I am concerned for the town I now call home.

AdrienneMackintosh Inglewood

Counsellors provide support

Sir, The Victorian Nationals have won a five-year long battle to allow counsellors to provide much needed mental health support to students as part of Victoria’s Mental Health Practitioners in Schools program.

For too many students, the lingering impact of COVID-19 lockdowns and associated school closures has taken its toll on the mental health of our children. While demand for mental health support has increased significantly, Labor’s failure to build Victoria’s mental health workforce means that all too often, when Victorians need mental health support, it simply isn’t available.

This critical shortage of mental health practitioners was highlighted in Labor’s limited scoping of mental health support provided in government schools, with counsellors inexplicably ruled out as being approved as ‘acceptable’ mental health support workers.

Many schools across Victoria simply couldn’t secure an approved mental health worker such as a psychiatrist or psychologist to deliver this program, and it was our students that paid the price, with no mental health support being provided in many schools at all. From day one of term one, this was changed, with counsellors now eligible to provide mental health support in our schools. Since 2019, The Nationals have persistently raised the matter in Parliament, putting forward critical legislative changes to enable this important change - that Labor stubbornly voted against, twice.

The longer we wait for Labor to enact the Royal Commission’s 2019 recommendations around workforce development, the longer the waiting lists will grow, the deeper the mental health harms will become, and the more pressure our existing mental health workforce will face.

EmmaKealy Deputyleader,TheNationals

20 QUESTION QUIZ

1. What is the capital of Canada?

2. Which war ended with the Treaty of Versailles?

3. Name the manmade structure that was built during the Ming Dynasty in China?

4. Who was the first human in space?

5. What is the national sport of Japan?

6. What theory did Albert Einstein come up with?

7. In South America, how many countries have Portuguese as their official language?

8. What is sushi traditionally wrapped in?

9. What does a barometer measure?

10. True or False – Mercury is the hottest planet in our solar system.

11. In which year was the United Nations founded?

12. What is the strongest muscle in the human body?

13. What is the fastest marine animal?

14. Name the primary colours.

15. Which composer wrote “The Four Seasons”

16. In the Shrek series of movies, what type of creature is Shrek?

17. Which gas makes up roughly 78% of Earth’s atmosphere?

18. Which three species of kangaroo are found in Victoria?

19. DNA stands for what?

20. Dame Nellie Melba appears on which Australian bank note?

ANSWERS

A VID readers of OTF may recall how one couple had a mortage on the twilight bowling competition raffle prizes at Bridgewater this time last year - the Good Doc and his wife collected quite the booty to keep food (and drink) on the dining table. Well, they are missing from the genteel lawn bowls action but have clearly passed on the rafflewinning baton for 2024.

pub raffle would be for a chook and a bottle of beer.

WPeter Bell wrote: Renewing the

John (Good). Hope

Diane Gordon-Cooke wrote: Truly amazing people. Thank you both for all you have done over the years - a huge asset to the community for so many years.

C LUB president Chris Brooshooft has starred when it comes to sauntering up to the prize table the last couple of Wednesday evenings. Turns out he has even had sticky fingers when drawing the next raffle prize winner. You see, he’s been pulling another of his three for $5 tickets from the repurposed bucket. We wonder whether the Good Doc would say this is an untreatable case of raffleitis?

W E’RE informed, reliably by a search on the wonderful world wide web, that In New Zealand and Australia, meat raffles are commonplace in pubs and by far the most popular anywhere. Things have come a long way from the days when the Friday night

HILE we’re talking about beer, there were plenty of stories at the Arnold Cricket Club’s 125th anniversary at the weekend. A more than generous few related to the days when members would go out collecting empty beer bottles to raise funds for the club. May have been a few added to the pile after cricketers had finished their collection work for the day!

AND on the subject of work, Bradley of Boort was acting up again at the weekend on the comedic stage. “I just ran out of time to make a new sign for the Treemendous Tree,” he tells us.

C OULD be something like one sign post in the US of A that reads: Sign Not In Use.

1. Ottowa 2. World War 1 3. Great Wall of China 4. Yuri Gagarin 5. Sumo Wrestling 6. Theory of relativity 7. One (Brazil) 8. Seaweed 9. Atmospheric pressure 10. False (Venus) 11. 1945 12. Masseter (jaw/cheek) 13. Sailfish 14. Red, yellow, blue 15. Antonio Vivaldi 16. Ogre 17. Nitrogen 18. Red,

Eastern Grey, Western Grey 19. Deoxyribonucleic Acid 20. $100 note

Villain of many names Rocky outcrops the ideal lookout for

HE WAS a thief by many names when transported to Australia in 1838.

The 14-year-old Frank McCallum would become part of the enduring bushranger folklore and leave his part on central Victoria to this day.

To Australians, Francis McNeiss McNiel McCallum, born 1822, Inverness, Scotland, became known as Captain Melville.

Young Frank was recorded or was known as Edward Melville / Mulvell, Thomas Smith and Frank McCallum, had little schooling before he turned to thieving, he appearing in the Perth Court of Justiciary on October 3, 1836, and copped seven years’ transportation for housebreaking.

Incarcerated in Scotland until the Minerva sailed to Van Dieman’s Land, now Tasmania, it docking on 29 September 1838 at which time McCallum was taken to Port Arthur and put in the Point Puer institution for juvenile convicts where inmates were expected to learn a trade.

In early 1840 McCallum was assigned to a timber yard in Hobart Town but it was not before he and a boy named Staunton absconded.

They were soon apprehended McCallum being sent back to Port Arthur to serve five years, along with copping 36 lashes.

McCallum continued to appear before the beak, a police magistrate, his sentence continually being extended until it was finally extended to life for burglary but somehow he was given 12 months probation, from which he absconded and lived with the Aboriginals for a year.

Eventually he was recaptured and sentenced to nine months’ hard labour in chains, an experience repeated in January and August 1850 but he soon made good his escape to Port Phillip, now Victoria McCallum, posing as Captain Francis Melville, a gentleman, managed to reach Victoria around October 1851 but by December he had returned to his ‘trade’ by becoming a bushranger.

It was not long before he had formed a gang which was reported at times to number eight, he operating in the Black Forest - Mount Macedon area.

By KEN ARNOLD

During 1852 a shepherd on an outstation of the Norwood station at Wareek, near Maryborough had acquainted Melville with this fact that Alfred Joyce, a pastoralist and owner of the homestead was alone. Melville approached Joyce enquiring of stray horses but when close enough to Joyce he produced a double-barrelled gun.

As the police were closing in on Melville he stole Joyce’s best riding hack, goods, his best riding clothes and even his gold watch. Melville warned Joyce not to go for the police that day. A month or two later Joyce heard that his horse had been left in a paddock at Ballan, by a stranger, thus he got his jaded hack back.

It was also during 1852 that Melville was watching for and holding up travellers in central Victoria.

Folklore has it that Melville used the rocky granite outcrop in the Kooyoora range as a hide out. He used what is now known as Melville Caves as a lookout and shelter. It is thought that he would be able to see the dust from the hooves of the troopers horses when coming across the plains, however this would be very doubtful considering most of the surrounding area had not been cleared of trees as there was basically no settlement in the area however it is indeed a great view across the area.

It is also recorded that Melville had a cave near Mount Arapiles it being known that during shearing season at Wonwondah that he ordered and paid in lordly fashion for having his lost horse found and breakfast prepared.

Around the same time Charles Carter and his sons encountered Melville and two companions on the Fiery Creek Plains, however the bushrangers soon found they were no match for the Carters’ arsenals so Melville moved on holding up teamsters at Rokewood prior to following a digger to the Maryvale station.

Captain Melville, now also using the alias William Smith, teamed up with William Roberts they riding around the Marida Yallock, Woady Yallock and

Bruce’s Creek area causing trouble before bailing up the staff and workers at Aitcheson’s sheep station where they tied them up, demanded food from the women, ransacked the house before taking two of the finest horses.

The bushrangers next robbed two bush workers at Fryansford. The two men checked into Christy’s Inn on Christmas eve 1852 where they dined before visiting a brothel in Corio Street, Geelong. Owing to the festive season somebody was a little too careless with information hence the troopers visited the brothel and arrested Roberts.

Meanwhile Melville smashed out through a window, knocked down a policeman before trying to pull Henry Guy from his fine horse however Guy held tight to the fugitive thus Melville was arrested, the two men being placed in a cell at South Geelong by Captain Foster Fyans.

Judge Redmond Barry heard the three cases of robbery at the Geelong Circuit Court on Febru- ary 3, 1853. Barry sentenced both men to 12, 10 and 10 years on each count.

As a result Melville was imprisoned on the prison hulk President.

Even though Melville, in chains, was working on the roads of Victoria by the time of the Melbourne Private Escort Robbery of 20 July 1853, Captain Melville’s name soon became associated with it as one of the Escort robbers used George Melville as his alias.

Although Melville continued to get into trouble John Price allowed him to work in a quarry at Point Gellibrand.

Around October 1856 Melville was transfered to the prison ship Success in Port Phillip Bay. He was allowed shore leave for three days per week as he was translat-

ing the Bible into the Aboriginal language however he was actually planning, with a former ship’s captain, Billy Stevens, to seize a cutter and sail to Gippsland with accomplices. They managed to capture the tow boat, before taking Constable Owen Owens as a hostage, then started to row it down Hobson’s Bay with Melville yelling ‘Goodbye at last to Victoria’.

As they were being chased Stevens smashed Owen’s skull in before leaping into the sea where he drowned. When captured Melville is credited with saying: ‘I would sooner die than suffer what I have been subjected to in these hulks in the past four years’.

Melville was sentenced to death but this was later overturned which resulted in Melville being domiciled in the Melbourne Gaol.

During late July 1857 Melville attacked the governor of the gaol with a sharpened spoon, causing a deep cut behind the ear of Wintle.

It is thought that Melville pretended that he was mad so he could be moved to an asylum but in August 1857 a warder found him strangled, by a red-spotted blue scarf, so had ended the life of what some people described as a cultured gentleman of good address and scholarship turned highwayman, somewhat considerate to those whom he robbed, he being courteous and charming to women, he being similar to Robin Hood, of Nottingham Forest, however he was more than likely of unbalanced character, a pistol packing swaggerer who had been totally destroyed by the penal system.

Arriving at Melville Caves, in the Kooyoora ranges, On your right you will see Barry’s rock, huge impressive boulder which has a hollow cavern, and then the day picnic area. If you are fit you can then walk up the path to the caves. On your way, if you look to the south, you will see Seal rock. One can scramble in between the granite boulders on into the caves. A little further up the hill you find the stables. One returning to the Logan-Kingower road turn right and travel a few hundred meters - you might see some modern local art works.

Melville smashed out through a window, knocked down a policeman before trying to pull Henry Guy from his fine horse however Guy held tight to the fugitive thus Melville was arrested,

Captain Melville

Hard Waste Kerbside Collection 2024

Loddon Shire Council will be conducting its annual kerbside hard waste collection of metals, e-waste, furniture and white goods during March 2024 to coincide with Clean Up Australia Day on the rst Sunday in March.

Properties with a mandatory kerbside waste bin and recycling bin collection service located within the following zones Township Zone, Low Density Residential Zone and Rural Living Zones as de ned within the Loddon Planning Scheme are eligible. Outside of these zones, the kerbside bin collection service is optional and a kerbside hard waste collection is not provided.

Residents may place items up to a total of one cubic metre out on the nature strip on Sunday 3 March 2024 (not before or after) and Council sta will collect these items commencing Monday 4 March 2024.

Items are to be sorted into piles, i.e. metal items, furniture, recyclable items, e-waste and white goods. Total volume is not to exceed 1m3 in size. Excessive or unsorted piles will not be collected.

Please note that general waste, perishables, tyres, oils, batteries, paints and chemicals, car parts and mattresses will not be picked up.

Items not collected are to be removed from the nature strip immediately.

International

Women'sDinnerDay

on Thursday the 7th of March 2024

Time: 6:00 pm - 6:15 pm arrival

Location: The Bridgewater Hotel

Inglewood Post Office

Audit and Risk Committee – Independent Member vacancy

Loddon Shire Council is seeking expressions of interest from suitably skilled, community focused persons to be appointed as an independent member of its Audit and Risk Committee.

The Audit and Risk Committee has been established to support Council in discharging its oversight responsibilities related to nancial and performance reporting, risk management, fraud prevention systems and control, maintenance of a sound internal control environment, assurance activities and Council’s performance with regard to compliance with its policies and legislative and regulatory requirements.

The appointment is for a period of up to four years, with potential for two additional four-year terms.

Ideally, the successful candidate will have experience in local government, nancial management, risk management or public sector management.

Additionally candidates with a background in business or strong local community knowledge and involvement in Loddon Shire are also strongly encouraged to apply.

The Committee meets quarterly in Wedderburn with in person attendance required for at least three of the four meetings.

Further information, including the Audit and Risk Committee Charter and Information Pack can be found on Council’s website,

https://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/OurCouncil/Council/Audit-Committeemembership-and-meetings  or by contacting Lisa Clue, Manager Governance on (03) 5494 1200.

Applications close at 5.00pm on Friday 15 March 2024

CAREERS AT LODDON SHIRE

Loddon Shire Council is seeking applications for the following positions from highly motivated, enthusiastic, energetic and outcome focused individuals who want to make a di erence and help shape our future.

Civil Design Coordinator – ref.J/248Readvertised

 Full-time, permanent position

 Band 7 salary range $97,998$108,878 per annum plus employer superannuation

 Based at Council’s Wedderburn o ce Community Compliance O cer – Tidy Properties - ref.J/244 - Readvertised

 Permanent position, with exibility to o er full-time or part-time

 Band 5 salary range $73,079$84,077 per annum plus employer superannuation

 Based at Council’s Wedderburn O ce Casual Early Childhood Educator –ref.J/123

 Casual position with exibility to choose your own days

 Early Childhood Educator 1.1 - $32.24 per hour (inclusive of casual loading)

 Positions available at all of our services Applications for the positions above will be considered as they are received.

For further information, including a detailed position description and details on how to apply, please visit Council’s website www.loddon.vic.gov.au or contact Council’s Organisation Development Unit on (03) 5494 1200.

for sale

2019 Franklin Arrow

19’6” Caravan - $63,990

As new condition. Includes café seating, full oven and cooktop, Dometic three-way fridge and filtered water tap. Full ensuite with large shower, toilet and top load washing machine. Queen bed with under bed storage, wardrobes with drawers, Ibis Mk3 reverse cycle air conditioner, two 12-volt fans, LED lighting throughout, Winegard TV antenna. Full battery management system with two 170w solar panels. Gas heating, full annex with extra-large windows, anti-flap kit, custom made privacy screens. Factory extended chassis with toolbox on front, gas bayonet, full front tunnel, rear generator hatch, reversing camera and wiring harness. Two 95lt water tanks, one 95lt grey water tank. Always shedded. Available April 4th, 2024.

Location -Charlton Ph 0418 323 940

Male Brown & Tan

Kelpie Pups

From good working parents.

Reasonably priced.

Source number MB243958

Pups: 956000011490542, 956000011499400, 956000011498337, 956000011492334

Phone Bill Larmour 0407843269

wanted to buy

WANTED TO BUY

Old bottles with town or company names.

Marble bottles, Ginger Beer, Milk Bottles, Soda Syphons

Any old bottles - single items or box lots

CASH PAID ON DAY

Phone 0452 264 661

Premiers ... two more in running

WEDDERBURN has claimed the first of three possible North Central playing area flags.

The midweek pennant team on Tuesday made its way back to Wedderburn after a seven-shot victory over Wycheproof.

Laurie Witham led his rink to a seven-shot win that secured the title in a tightly-contested final at St Arnaud.

Wedderburn has made the grand finals this Saturday in both Division 1 and Division 2.

In the top competition, Wedderburn will play St Arnaud while in Division 2, Wedderburn has earned another crack at Wycheproof.

In the second semi-final, Wedderburn went down by nine shots but bounced back in the Division 2 final last Saturday, Lance Standfield’s rink winning by 21 shots setting up victory.

Both North Central grand finals will be played at St Arnaud this Saturday.

NORTH CENTRAL

Division 1 – Preliminary final: St Arnaud d Wycheproof 61-59.

Division 2 – Preliminary final: Wedderburn d Donald Golf 80-67. J Grant, A Benaim, L Holt, L Standfield (s) d S Evans, B Brasier, J Slater, P Raynes (s) 40-19. N White, J Matthews, G Burnside, B Hargeaves (s) d A Dionisopoulos, E Braiser, S O’Shea, G Wood (s) 24-23. S Lear, R Hall, A Noordennen, I Hall (s) lost to B Bayles, M Raynes, B Dixon, L Borden (s) 16-25.

Midweek - Grand final: Wycheproof lost to Wedderburn 64-71. A Coatsworth, V Grant, L Milburn, A Jones (s) d H Stephenson, S Steel, R Hall, A Jackson (s) 24-21. M Nicholls, S McKenna, J McKay, D Groves (s) lost to R Little, J Matthews, A Roberts, L

Witham (s) 14-27. C Jones, E Taylor, Jeannie Grylls, Jonathon Grylls (s) d J Murnane, S Standfield, A Caserta, N Holt (s) 23-26. Champion of champions – semifinals: H Wingfield (Donald) lost to D Mason (Wedderburn) 15-25. S Zsigmond (St Arnaud) d S Morris (Boort) 25-22. Final: D Mason lost to S Zsigmond 8-25.

Women – semi-finals: F Rodger (St Arnaud) lost to L Morgan (Donald) 22-25. J Grylls (Wycheproof) lost to T Moresi (Boort) 21-25. Final: L Morgan d T Moresi 25-17.

BENDIGO

Division 3 – semi-finals: South Bendigo 83-16 d Castlemaine 74-2.

Heathcote 78-16 d Serpentine 662. G Wilkie, F Dimauro, G Saunders,

Blowfly final: cut-throat clash in Division 4

DINGEE has defied the odds to meet Calivil in Saturday’s Bendigo playing area Division 4 preliminary final.

In what will be the battle of the blowfly clubs at Inglewood, Calivil will be up against a revitalised Dingee who surprised the more fancied Woodbury and won the semi-final by nine shots last weekend.

Dingee won three of its four rinks.

Calivil lowered colours to top side White Hills.

In Division 3, Serpentine has another chance of making the grand final when it meets South Bendigo at the Bendigo greens.

Serp last Saturday went down by 12 shots to Heathcote in the semi-final.

Darren Anset’s rink was Serpentine’s only shining light for the afternoon.

The first weekend of Bendigo area finals has guaranteed two

PENNANT RESULTS

W Gardiner (s) d W Gladman, L Baber, R Hasty, N Tonkin (s) 19-14. P Cunningham, B Taylor, B Kelly, A Luxford (s) d K Canfield, G Addlem, B Long, B Gladman (s) 22-18. R Bond, E O’Brien, G Speirs, C Morcom (s) lost to L Cadzow, B Tuohey, D Walker, D Anset (s) 12-23. R Edwards, R Hanson, L McGillivray, M Lee (s) d F Maher, J Collinson, R Gladman, A Bish (s) 25-11.

Preliminary final at Bendigo: Serpentine v South Bendigo.

Division 4 – semi finals: White Hills 70-2 lost to Dingee 79-16. B Sheen, L Lightburn, W McCurdy, C Jansen (s) lost to L Hocking, G Clarke, B West, Leo Demeo (s) 18-29. E Jardine, F Gargiulo, G Gardner, H Walklate (s) lost to K Pollock, G Devanny, B Lawry, F Grieves (s) 14-20. R Parmenter, R Armstrong, P Fogliani, A Charlton (s) d A Day, J Monaghan, R Thompson, K

Loddon sides will play grand finals.

The Inglewood Division 6 team put in a very watchable team effort that they can all be proud of.

Inglewood accounted for top side Castlemaine that had seen big wins at home during the season put the minor premiership firmly in grasp early after the Christmas break.

However, Saturday’s neutral territory clash brought Castlemaine back to the field.

Inglewood players went back to the clubhouse after the game for a very enjoyable meal and members hope the next one tastes even better.

The team that represented Inglewood so well are Simon Laird, Kevin Stewart, Patsy Lyndon, Vicky Tierney, Bill Concol, Pam Kelly, Chris McEwan, Arthur Harrison, Blake Smyth, Wendy Wilson, Bev Taig, Helen Leech and Coral Leach. .

In Monday pennant last week, the elimination final didn’t go well for for Inglewood’s Division 5 with the Bendigo East team being way too good on the day to run out convincing winners.

Inglewood was right in the game at the half way break and lost their way after that and hardly scored at all to lose by 31 shots.

This team have done a wonderful job over the last few years with the “Golden Oldies” still playing good bowls. Keep fit and look forward to seeing you all on the green again next season.

Final Scores being Inglewood 28 shots (0pts) lost to Bendigo East 59 shots (14pts).

PYRAMID HILL

Lionel and Jean Mann have retained their singles’ championship titles and represented the club at the recent Northern District championships.

Murphy (s) 22-13. M Carter, W Sertori, P McGuire, B Colbert (s) lost to T Kavanagh, R Robertson, Lyn Demeo, N Lister (s) 16-17.

Woodbury 86-17 d Calivil 53-1. J Ryan, R Schulz, P Gould, M McMahon (s) d B Meighan, G Lourie, W Miles, A Leech (s) 18-16. L Grainger, K West, S Smith, A Brodie (s) d A Dennis, I Mansbridge, J Pickles, L Gronow (s) 25-8. N Upton, P O’Connor, J Grainger, L Handley (s) d R Boyd, P Hercus, R Lourie, G Maxted (s) 24-10. B Cozens, D Power, W McCumber, J Murphy (s) drew M Dennis, K Richards, G Ray, N Dennis (s) 19-19.

Preliminary final: Calivil v Dingee at Inglewood. Division 6 – semi-finals: Golden Square d Eaglehawk 77-52.

Castlemaine lost to Inglewood 5466. I Fisher, G McClure, V Podesta, D

Steet (s) lost to S Laird, K Stewart, P Lyndon, V Tierney (s) 14-26. D Ross, D Cameron, I Devereaux, D Carlin (s) d W Concol, P Kelly, C McEwan, A Harrison (s) 26-16. R West, J Hunter, R Chapman, P McKnight (s) lost to B Smyth, W Wilson, B Taig, H Leech (s) 14-24.

Preliminary final at South Bendigo: Castlemaine v Golden Square. Winner to meet Inglewood in grand final. Midweek Division 4 – preliminary final: North Bendigo 66-14 d Dingee 57-2. J Warfe, F Ayres, E Staff, A Hall (s) d A Hay, P Plant, B West, S Cail (s) 25-15. E Wagnitz, V Lisle, W Pell, S Bryan (s) d K Pollock, V Sproull, F Grieves, M Grieves (s) 21-15. H Hall, M Gorrie, S Wilkinson, J Emerson (s) lost to N Thomas, S Lawry, Leo Demeo, Lyn Demeo (s) 20-27.

North Central midweek pennant premiers Wedderburn after their victory on Tuesday

Wedderburn Division 2 player Leon Holt. LH PHOTO

ANNOUNCINGIANBADGERMERCER C.V.C.PACERSHEATTRIBUTE

Rider jumps at late call on busy title weekend

BRIDGEWATER equestrienne Jasmine Wilkinson’s weekend became busier when she had a late call-up for showjumping events at the Pony Club Victoria championships.

Jasmine added the two events to her dressage commitments after earlier qualifying for those events and being part of the Midland Zone team at the championships held at Elmore.

The Loddon Pony Club member and her horse Leggo helped put the Midland Zone into fifth place on both days

for both showjumping and dressage. She said it had been a dream come true to compete in the state championships and had improved her jumps throughout the weekend.

Midland was host zone for the championships contested by 10 zones across Victoria with riders and their horses coming from as far away as Wallan and Gippsland.

This year’s championships marked 70 years since the state association was formed.

Marathon runner monthly star

CARLY Isaac is the January winner of the Loddon Herald Sports Star of the Year award.

Isaac finished a strong second in last month’s Cadbury Marathon in Hobart with a personal best time,

The Boort A Grade netballer is aiming for the sub-three minute when she enters the Noosa Marathon in May.

Isaac joins other monthly winners John Coffey (woodchopping - October), Judd Chislett (motorcross racing - November) and Allira James (cricket - December) to be in the running for the annual award.

Nominations for the monthly award are taken from articles published in the Loddon Herald.

The Sports Star of the Year will be announced at a special dinner later this year.

Eagles’ camp quiet on next moves

MAIDEN Gully is yet to confirm whether it will enter an under 18 side in the Loddon Valley football competition this season.

The Eagles junior club had its bid for Bendigo Football League affiliation refused last week by AFL Central Victoria.

While the club has been reported as dismissing the Loddon Valley league option, officials have not responded to Loddon Herald inquiries.

The junior club rejection followed a similar fate late last year for the senior club when commissioners also upheld a Loddon Valley appeal against the move.

While Maiden Gully has stood out of local junior football for two years, Loddon Valley officials say the Eagles are welcome and wanted in the under 18 competition that will be at least six sides in 2024.

Clubs unable to field the required three sides - seniors, reserves and under 18sare required to seek dispensation from the league.

Pyramid Hill returned to junior competition last season with Newbridge preparing for its rebirth of an under 18 side this year.

Jasmine Wilkinson

Powlett shunted in semi boilover

MINOR premiers Powlett has been bundled from the Inglewood association flag race by an on-fire Wedderburn Junction.

The hard-fought semi-final saw many tiebreakers finish in favour of Junction who booked a spot in Saturday’s grand final against fellow Wedderburn side Fentons Creek.

Junction was at its most potent in the mixed sets and will head into the season decider at Wedderburn as slight favourites.

Fentons was simply too strong for a depleted Loddon Eagles that had been challenged to field a side for the semis.

In Marong association, Newbridges faces off against Marong in this Saturday’s cut-throat semi-final final against minor premiers Marong.

The Panthers edged out Harcourt for top spot despite lowering colours to Wilsons Reef, who did not qualify for end-of-season action, last Saturday.

Harcourt was too strong for Newbridge in the final home and away round.

Venues for Saturday’s finals in Marong association are - Marong v Newbridge at Marong, Harcourt v Lockwood at Bridgewater.

MARONG

Harcourt 13-91 d Newbridge 5-68

A LADIES: A. Manning E. Landy d E. Jenkyn A. Jenkyn 6-4. A. Manning H. Wild d E. Jenkyn S. Wallace 6-2. E. Landy H. Wild d A. Jenkyn S. Wallace 6-5.

B LADIES: J. Teague partner lost to A. Price N. Jenkyn 2-6. J. Teague B. Trethowan d A. Price A. Broom 6-1. B. Trethowan partner lost to N. Jenkyn A. Broom 5-6.

A MEN: S. Gearing L. Tunn d D. Graham J. Sutherland 6-2. S. Gearing B. Bickford d D. Graham partner 6-3. L. Tunn B. Bickford d J. Sutherland partner 6-2.

B MEN: D. Gearing S. Blake d D. Jenkyn L. Price 6-4. D. Gearing K. Walters lost to A. Broom partner 2-6. S. Blake K. Walters lost to L. Price A. Broom 3-6.

MIXED: A. Manning S. Gearing d S. Wallace D. Graham 6-1. E. Landy L. Tunn d E. Jenkyn J. Sutherland 6-4. J. Teague B. Bickford d A. Price partner 6-1. H. Wild K. Walters d N. Jenkyn L. Price 6-5. S. Blake partner d A. Broom D. Jenkyn 6-4. B. Trethowan D. Gearing lost to A. Jenkyn partner 1-6.

Wilsons Reef 9-84 d Marong 9-79

A LADIES: J. Fitzgibbon G. Thompson lost to R. McCaig J. Cornish 5-6. J. Fitzgibbon B. McKimmie d R. McCaig G. Turnball 6-5. G. Thompson B. McKimmie lost to J. Cornish G. Turnball 2-6.

B LADIES: E. Molenaar C. McKinstry d S. Thompson H. Turnball 6-4. E. Molenaar F. Lucas d S. Thompson partner 6-0. C. McKinstry F. Lucas lost to H. Turnball partner 1-6.

A MEN: S. Taylor partner lost to L. Frankel Z. Turnball 2-6. S. Taylor B. Taylor lost to L. Frankel J. McCraig 2-6. B. Taylor partner d Z. Turnball J. McCraig 6-5.

B MEN: Z. Porlai J. Taylor lost to N. McCaig P. Leersen 3-6. Z. Porlai J. Wilkinson d N. McCaig partner 6-1. J. Taylor J. Wwilkinson d P. Leersen partner 6-3.

MIXED: J. Fitzgibbon partner lost to R. McCaig L. Frankel 5-6. B. McKimmie S. Tay-

lor d G. Turnball Z. Turnball 6-2. E. Mole-

naar B. Taylor d J. Cornish J. McCraig 6-3.

G. Thompson Z. Porlai lost to H. Turnball

N. McCaig 5-6. F. Lucas J. Wilkinson d P. Leersen partner 6-2. C. McKinstry J. Taylor lost to S. Thompson partner 5-6.

Lockwood 13-89 d Woodstock 5-67

A LADIES: D. Wells A. Wells d H. Rob-

bins K. Punton 6-5. D. Wells T. Miller d H.

Robbins N. Earl 6-3. A. Wells T. Miller d K.

Punton N. Earl 6-2.

B LADIES: C. Shevlin R. Pettifer lost to J.

Leversha A. Andrews-Stone 1-6. C. Shevlin

H. Michelsen lost to J. Leversha P. Morris

2-6. R. Pettifer H. Michelsen d A. Andrews-

Stone P. Morris 6-1.

A MEN: L. Nixon A. Doyle d M. Mulgrew

G. Leach 6-1. L. Nixon B. Wells d M. Mul-

grew N. Punton 6-5. A. Doyle B. Wells d G.

Leach N. Punton 6-3.

B MEN: T. Jensen C. Scoble d D. Heather

D. Tolly 6-2. T. Jensen M. Rice d D. Heather

L. McKinley 6-5. C. Scoble M. Rice lost D.

Tolly L. McKinley 2-6.

MIXED: D. Wells L. Nixon lost to H. Rob-

bins M. Mulgrew 3-6. A. Wells A. Doyle d K.

Punton G. Leach 6-1. T. Miller B. Wells d N.

Earl N. Punton 6-5. C. Shevlin M. Rice lost to J Leversha D. Heather 3-6. R. Pettifer T.

Jensen d A. Andrews-Stone D. Tolly 6-1. H.

Michelsen C. Scoble d P. Morris L. McKinley 6-3.

Broad 7-1. R. Maxted C. Rogers d J. Sinclair C. Emmerson 7-5. L. Maxted G. Maxted d M. Scott M. Schmidt 7-4. J. Smith A. Lister d H.

Emmerson G. Scott 7-4. O. Balic A. Maxted d V. Herrick K. Manton 7-3. K. Maxted S. Lister d R. Foster T. Broad 7-5.

Lake Meran lost to Serpentine 88-102.

MEN: C. Chamberlain A. Chamberlain lost to S. Howard C. Tuohey 0-7. C. Chamberlain E. Moresi lost to S. Howard S. Tuohey 3-7. A. Chamberlain E. Moresi lost to C. Tuohey S. Tuohey 1-7. B. Moresi A. Cockerell d J. Addlem A. Mountjoy 7-4. B. Moresi R. Fawcett lost to J. Addlem N. Cockerell 2-7. A. Cockerell R. Fawcett lost to A. Mountjoy N. Cockerell 5-7.

LADIES: C. Downs C. Moresi lost to P. Cockerell N. Rose 4-7. C. Downs L. Hosking d P. Cockerell T. Twigg 7-5. C. Moresi L. Hosking d N. Rose T. Twigg 7-6. V. Moresi I. Hosking d J. Cockerell E. Twigg 7-2. V. Moresi T. Pickering d J. Cockerell G. Addlem 7-6. I. Hosking T. Pickering d E. Twigg G. Addlem 7-3.

MIXED: C. Chamberlain C. Downs lost to S. Howard P. Cockerell 6-7. A. Chamberlain C. Moresi lost to C. Tuohey K. Addlem 4-7. E. Moresi L. Hosking lost to S. Tuohey T. Twigg 4-7. B. Moresi V. Moresi d J. Addlem J. Cockerell 7-4. I. Hosking A. Cockerell d N. Cockerell G. Addlem 7-2. R. Fawcett T. Pickering lost to A. Mountjoy E. Twigg 3-7.

Dingee lost to Mincha West 82-116

LODDON VALLEY

Calivil North d Yarrawalla 120-64

MEN: R. Maxted L. Maxted lost to L. For-

ster J. Sinclair 5-7. R. Maxted C. Smith d L.

Forster M. Scott 7-3. L. Maxted C. Smith d J.

Sinclair M. Scott 7-5. J. Smith O. Balic lost to H. Emmerson V. Herrick 6-7. J. Smith K.

Maxted d H. Emmerson R. Forster 7-1. O.

Balic K. Maxted lost to V. Herrick R. Forster 4-7.

LADIES: M. Balic C. C. Rogers d C. Emmerson C. Broad 7-0. M. Balic G. Maxted d E.

Emmerson M. Schmidt 7-2. C. Rogers G.

Maxted d C. Broad M. Schmidt 7-3. A. Lister

A. Maxted d G. Scott T. Broad 7-5. A. Lister S. Lister d G. Scott K. Manton 7-2. A. Max-

ted S. Lister d T. Broad K. Manton 7-0.

MIXED: C. Smith M. Balic d L. Forster C.

MEN: M. Harvey B. Duncan lost to J. Ritchie D. Mann 4-7. M. Harvey R. Lawry lost to J. Ritchie B. Wagner 3-7. B. Duncan R. Lawry d D. Mann B. Wagner 7-5. R. Ellis M. Hocking lost to P. Gargen R. Wagner 6-7. R. Ellis J. Ravaneschi d P. Gargen J. Pepperell 7-6. M. Hocking J. Ravaneschi d R. Wagner J. Pepperell 7-3.

LADIES: H. Condliffe B. Baker lost to E. Prout J. Wagner 2-7. H. Condliffe K. Pay lost to E. Prout E. Stewart 5-7. B. Baker K. Pay lost to J. Wagner E. Stewart 5-7. J. Pay E. Pay lost to T. Prout T. Stewart 2-7. J. Pay K. Ellis lost to T. Prout C. Mann 4-7. E. Pay K. Ellis d T. Stewart C. Mann 7-4.

MIXED: M. Harvey H. Condliffe lost to D. Mann E. Prout 5-7. B. Duncan B. Baker lost to J. Ritchie J. Wagner 4-7. R. Lawry K. Pay lost to B. Wagner E. Stewart 3-7. R. Ellis J. Pay lost to P. Gargen T. Prout 4-7. M. Hock-

Juniors from across region at doubles tournament

MORE THAN 100 young tennis players contested the Dingee junior doubles tournament on Sunday.

The competition was ran in five divisions with players from from Echuca, Moama, Rochester, Lockington, Elmore, Pyramid Hill, Calivil, Yarrawalla, Raywood and Dingee. The weather was perfect and the matches were played in an extremely competitive manor with good sportsmanship at the same time.

The ages of players ranged from the beginners section at seven years old through to the top section at around 16 years old

. All sections had a mix of boys and girls pairings.

Meanwhile, the Loddon Valley junior championships will see local youngsters again in action at Dingee this Sunday.

RESULTS

Division 1: Oscar Balic and Harrison Condliffe. Runners-up: James Brentall and Jack Byrne. Division 2: Jasmine Watson and Keeley Major. Runners-up: Louis Frawley and Tom Alberni. Division 3: Dusty Balic and Linc Pickersgill. Runners up: Tegan Vinnicombe and Page Smith.

Division 4: Emily Lister and Abby Smith. Runners-up: Charlotte Lawry and Matilda Ellis. Division 5: Paddy Wallis and Bridget Lawry. Runners-up: Tia Gould and Letty Ellis.

ing E. Pay lost to R. Wagner T. Stewart 5-7. J. Ravaneschi K. Ellis lost to J. Pepperell C. Mann 2-7. LADDER

Mincha West 4.18

Calivil North 3.46

Dingee 2.89

Raywood 2.69

Serpentine 1.93

Yarrawalla 1.75

Lake Meran 0.46

INGLEWOOD

Powlett lost to Wedderburn Junction 130-103

MEN: B. Isaac L. Last lost to P. Turnbull T. Lockhart 5-8. L. Last B. Leech d T. Lockhart C. Harg 8-6. B. Isaac B. Leech d P. Turnbull C. Harg 8-7. L. Lamprell H. Lock lost to S. Stephenson C. Holt 7-8. H. Lock M.

Livingstone d C. Holt J. Hayes 8-5. L. Lam-

prell M. Livingstone lost to S. Stephenson

J. Hayes 4-8.

LADIES: A. Leech S. Maher lost to S. Lockhart M. Lowry 2-8. S. Maher D. Wayman lost to M. Lowry M. Postle 4-8. A.

Leech D. Wayman lost to S. Lockhart M. Postle 7-8. C. Gilmore C. Martin lost to P. Stephenson S. Turnbull 2-8. C. Ugle J. Mar-

tin d S. Turnbull R. Ellsmore 8-4. C. Gilmore

J. Martin lost to P. Stephenson R. Ellsmore

7-8.

MIXED: L. Last A. Leech d P. Turnbull M.

Lowry 8-6. B. Isaac S. Maher lost to T. Lock-

hart S. Lockhart 5-8. B. Leech D. Wayman lost to C. Harg M. Postle 6-8. L. Lamprell

C. Gilmore d S. Stephenson P. Stephenson

8-6. H. Lock C. Ugle lost to C. Holt S. Turn-

bull 3-8. M. Livingstone J. Martin lost to J.

Hayes R. Ellsmore 3-8. Fentons Creek d Loddon Eagles 148-62

MEN: J. Lockhart O. Holt d R. Senior M.

Senior 8-4. O. Holt L. Holt d M. Senior S.

Smith 8-2. J. Lockhart L. Holt d R. Senior S.

Smith 8-4. S. Lockhart R. Holt d R. Senior G.

Madden 8-3. R.

M.

d

8-3. S.

G. Johns 8-1.

E. Lockhart A. Lockhart lost to C. Smith A. Higgs 4-8. A. Lockhart G. Lockhart d A. Higgs S. Keller 8-0. E. Lockhart G.

d C. Smith S. Keller 8-4. O. Lockhart G. Bird d R. Madden K. Bainbridge 8-2. G. Bird P. Van Humen d K. Bainbridge A. Johns 8-6. O. Lockhart P. Van Humen d R. Madden A. Johns 8-3.

MIXED: J. Lockhart E. Lockhart d S. Smith C. Smith 8-4. O. Holt A. Lockhart d R. Senior A. Higgs 8-4. L. Holt G. Lockhart d

M. Senior S. Keller 8-3. S. Lockhart O. Lockhart d R. Senior R. Madden 8-2. R. Holt G. Bird lost to G. Madden K. Bainbridge 6-8.

M. Birthisel P. Van Humen d G. Johns A. Johns 8-1.

BOORT

Mysia lost to Marmal 8-52 to 2-19

L. Lanyon A. Bear lost to A. McDougal

G. Bear 1-6. M. Stringer C. Hird lost to L. Boyd A. Beamish 1-6. L. Lanyon O. Byrne lost to A. McDougal N. Wright 0-6. A. Bear

M. Stringer lost to G. Bear L. Boyd 1-6. C. Hird O. Byrne d A. Beamish N. Wright 6-4. L. Lanyon M. Stringer lost to A. McDougal L. Boyd 0-6. A. Bear C. Hird lost to G. Bear A. Beamish 2-6. M. Stringer O. Byrne lost to L. Boyd N. Wright 0-6. L. Lanyon C. Hird lost to A. McDougal A. Beamish 2-6. A. Bear O. Byrne d G. Bear N. Wright 6-0.

Barraport d Leaghur 7-56 to 3-42

J. Moresi S. Gould lost to G. Boyd D. Lanyon 5-6. K. Hare R. Wright d J. Malone B. McPherson 6-4. J. Moresi F. Herrington d G. Boyd D. Perryman 6-4. S. Gould K. Hare d D. Lanyon J. Malone 6-5. R. Wright F. Herrington d B. McPherson D. Perryman 6-3. J. Moresi K. Hare d G. Boyd J. Malone 6-2. S. Gould R. Wright lost to D. Lanyon B. Pherson 5-6. K. Hare F. Herrington d J. Malone D. Perryman 6-2. J. Moresi R. Wright d G. Boyd B. McPherson 6-4. S. Gould F. Herrington lost to D. Lanyon D. Perryman 4-6. Men’s Singles - semi-finals: G. Boyd d D. Lanyon 4-6, 6-5, 6-5. G. Bear d A. McDougal 6-1, 6-1. Final: G. Boyd d G. Bear 6-2, 6-1.

Powlett’s Christine Gilmore in the sem-final against Wedderburn Junction. LH PHOTO

Tia Gould and Letty Ellis

Bridget Lawry and Paddy Wallis

Tegan Vinnicombe and Page Smith Jasmine Watson and Keeley Major

Dusty Balic and Linc PickersgillOscar Balic and Harrison Condliffe

Harry’s Heroes: Malone steers flag success

BOORT YANDO have come back from a one year hiatus to become the 2023-2024 Upper Loddon junior premiers.

In taking out their fourth Upper Loddon flag, Boort Yando who led the competition all season, were able to overcome Kingower’s total of 7/104 to register a seven wicket victory.

Played on the turf wicket at Wedderburn, play commenced on Saturday with Kingower having first use of the wicket. No Kingower batsmen were able to take full control of the bowling, although Tyler Murphy and Evan McCoy who top scored with 24, were able to add 40 runs for the second wicket, the best partnership of the innings.

Ryder Smith was unlucky to get a shooter from Lachie Hall in the first over following the break, before Leah McCoy and Morgan Lonza shared in a 32-run sixth wicket partnership to ensure Kingower batted out the day.

Harry Malone took the wickets of both openers while Deklan King also took two wickets, conceding only 10 runs off his eight overs. Luke Boyd also bowled economically sending down eight overs for just seven runs.

Boort Yando started their innings cautiously on Sunday, losing the wicket of the league’s leading run scorer Cooper Gooding with the score on seven.

When Hall departed 13 runs later, the game was evenly

poised. Malone joined Owen Byrne who was solely concentrating on holding up an end, and this pair shared in what was a matchwinning partnership of 73.

Malone dominated the scoring reaching his 50 which included eight boundaries and one six.

Byrne was finally dismissed in the 33rd over , with his team in sight of victory, for a very patient eleven runs. Byrne’s contribution was enormously important to his team’s win.

Three Kingower shared the wickets while Jackson Luckman while not successful , was extremely frugal in having only one ball scored off in his seven overs.

Following the game Boort Yando’s captain Malone was pre-

sented with the Les and Margaret Miller Premiership Shield. He was also named player of the finals.

Jasmine Nevins of the Melbourne Stars helped out with the other presentations which included the Inglewood and Districts Community Bank’s Player of the year Riley Murphy (381 points), batting Cooper Gooding (273 runs) and bowling awards Darby Perryman (13 wickets average 3.92).

Boort Yando v Kingower Kingower

G. Gooding b H. Malone 0

E. McCoy b D. King 24

J. Luckman b D. King 0

R. Smith lbw b L. Hall 6

L. McCoy caught & b F. Arnold 12

M. Lonza c L. Hall b F. Gjorup 19

R. Leach not out 0

X. Wilson not out 0

Extras 24

Total 7/104

Bowling H. Malone 10-3-2-24, L. Boyd 8-5-

0-7, S. Toose 7-2-0-12, L. Hall 7-3-1-14,

Jubilation on Market Square after Boort Yando claims the 2023-2024 Upper Loddon junior premiership on Sunday. LH PHOTOS

Owen Byrne Harry Malone and Jas Nevins

Ian Gould presents the premiership shield

Inglewood Community Bank chairman Linda Younghusband and batting average winner Cooper Gooding

Darby Perryman

Inglewood Community Bank chairman Linda Younghusband and Riley Murphy

ARNOLD Cricket Club has honoured legendary player and supporter Keith Graham at the Redbacks’ 125th birthday celebrations on Saturday.

Keith Graham’s name now adorns the club pavilion, recognising his prowess as a player for the club and at association at Country Week and supporting later generations to don the red and black caps, including his sons. The local farmer died last year aged 92.

Son Colin said one of his father’s best performances with the bat was in A Grade at Bendigo

Country Week in 1958, knocking up 105.

Geoff Graham, who started his cricket as a junior with Arnold before later switching to longtime rival Kingower said: “My grandmother called me a traitor ... but she still made me a cup of tea.”

Kevin Alexander was among the former players who recalled stories while looking at a display in the old tin shed.

“A swaggie used to sleep here and when I started, it was a dirt floor. We later put in gas lights and a fridge,” he said.

KINGOWER timed its run rate in the last 10 overs to perfection against Arnold on Saturday.

The 125th anniversary celebrations for the Redbacks did not go to plan despite setting an impressive 153 that put Kingower to the test.

Arnold had overcome a jittery start when Cam Dale took control at the crease and hit a handy 61 before caught by Jayden Leach and giving Ben Rose his only wicket with the ball for the match.

However, Rose was more deft in the field. Two runs later he caught opener Phil Scholes, eyeing a whopping six, in the members’ outer and replicated the feat when Mick Dale was cheaply dismissed.

The stumbling block for Kingower bowlers would prove to be another of the Redbacks’ legends.

Metelmann belted 69 of 64 balls, including three sixes and five boundaries. The 50 came with one of those boundaries in the 31st over.

He was dropped twice within three balls in the field. Eventually it was skipper Leach who sent the veteran back to the sheds, bowled outside stump with 10 deliveries last for the innings.

Leach finished the best of Kingower’s bowlers with three wickets.

Kingower made a solid start through openers Rowe and Rose. Rowe was dismissed when the Gower was on 55 but Rose stayed at the crease for the duration.

Deason and Leach were also handy at the crease, anchoring the Kingower run chase.

Will Deason with 29 off 33 balls and Jayden Leach, 35 off 20 balls (seven boundaries), gave depth to Kingower and timed the win.

Needing 78 runs off the 10 ten overs, Kingower got home in the 34th over.

For a second week, Boort Yando forfeited.

The Boort combo is drawn to play Arnold this Saturday in the final home and away game.

When they were last scheduled to meet a month ago, Arnold forfeited the points.

With Boort not having much match-time, Arnold could prove the better and fitter side if they clash this week.

Wedderburn will be at home to Kingower in another battle of the top two sides.

The Band has been without several key players in recent weeks. The looming finals may

be the incentive for Wedderburn to field an at-strength team. Its players know how to play the turf wicket at Market Square. The key may rest with opening batsmen putting together a good stand.

Arnold v Kingower

Arnold’s opening bowler Henry McCullough. LH PHOTO

Mark Ford, Alan Metelmann, Cam Dale and Col Graham. LH PHOTOS

Alan Oxley, Chris Henderson and Brendan Younghusband

Geoff Graham

Barry and Kevin Alexander with Phil Davies

Loddon HERALD sport

BIG CROWD TIP

NEW Boort Trotting Club president Tim Byrne is predicting a large crowd for Sunday’s cups meeting.

Byrne says the local passion for harness racing and trotting will again stamp Boort as one of the key country cup meetings on the Victorian calendar.

“The Neil Beattie Pacers’ Cup and Peter Walsh Trotters’ are our feature events but this year we will also pay tribute to Badger Mercer and there’s one race where all the drivers will be women.”

Mercer had been part of the club administration and raceday team for more than 60 years until his death last month.

PREMIER MEETING FEATURES RACE FOR WOMEN DRIVERS

His tribute race will be a one of two heats of the Central Victorian championships run at Boort on Sunday.

Byrne, who steps into the position after the retirement of harness racing stalwart John Campbell, had his start with the sport as a child when his father John was president and later secretary.

““I started doing little jobs on race days and progressed from there to working on track preparation,” he said.

“After we regained our race

meetings, I was given the job of driving the water truck and also joined the committee.

“And now I’ve stepped into the president’s role when John, who has done a fantastic job, decided to step down.”

Byrne credits Campbell with the reinstatement of harness racing meetings at country tracks a decade ago.

“The enthusiasm of people like John and others in the Boort club carries through to today,” Byrne said.

Campbell is still on the com-

mittee and has worked in the background with Byrne for the women-drivers race.

Campbell said the race would again put Boort at the forefront of providing opportunities for women drivers.

“We had the first-ever race in Australia for lady drivers back in 1978,” Campbell said.

“We were a leader back then and will be this year when the meeting is once more part of the Team Teal promotion through harness racing meetings across Australia and New Zealand.”

During February and March reinswomen race in teal pants to raise funds for ovarian and gynaecological cancer research and education programs.

Pacer earns spot in cup final

JARKLIN-OWNED pacer

Modern Bliss is through to Saturday night’s $150,000 Tasmania Cup final.

Modern Bliss was third in Sunday’s second heat, less than two metres beyond winner and race favourite

Ultimate Vinnie and Cool Water Paddy.

The Graham Maxtedowned pacer is leased by Ash Wharton.

He galloped at the start of the cup heat but recovered to be one out and two back at the bell.

Ultimate Vinnie had also galloped at the start before hitting the lead at the bell.

A blanket finish saw just 4.5 metres between the first six placings.

Modern Bliss has finished in the placings at his last three starts and now amassed more than $193,000 in prizemoney.

The first seven horses from each of the two heats will contest Saturday night’s final in Hobart.

BOORT YANDO has claimed the Upper Loddon Cricket Association junior crown for 2023-2024. The club returned to junior competition this season and accounted for Kingower in the weekend’s two-day final. FULL REPORT, PHOTOS - PAGE 26

LH PHOTO